(2nd LD) Lee urges 'aggressive' police reform to address wrongful practices, systems

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(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks in last 3 paras) By Park Boram

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday urged the police to aggressively reform themselves to address wrongful practices and systems, also stressing the need for a special system to independently vet police investigations.

The president made the call in a speech marking the 81st Police Day, as the police have assumed greater investigative authority following the Lee administration's prosecution reform, which removed prosecutors' investigative powers, leaving them in charge only of indictments and their maintenance.

"By objectively looking back on what has been lacking, (police) should aggressive pursue reform to boldly address wrongful practices and systems," the president said.

President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the 81st Police Day in Seoul on Oct. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

Lee stressed that the investigative power, entrusted by the people, must be exercised fairly in accordance with laws and principles, and that investigations must be conducted with clear accountability.

The president said that investigative processes and results should be rigorously scrutinized while being shielded from external influence, especially calling for the establishment of a special system to independently vet police investigations.

"Wrongful practices and systems should be boldly rectified ... public trust in the police will become more solid only when they do not evade people's criticism and address their shortcomings immediately," the president noted.

The remarks came amid growing public safety concerns following a recent series of violent crimes, including a stabbing spree targeting random victims in Incheon last week and the fatal stabbing by a man of his mother-in-law.

"Police should seriously acknowledge the realty that public trust in the police is wavering ... and bear in mind that their responsibility has become greater than ever," Lee noted.

"Public trust cannot be restored through words alone. The police should demonstrate that they have changed and make painstaking efforts to ensure that people recognize the change," he said.

President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) attends a ceremony marking the 81st Police Day in Seoul. (Yonhap)

The president, in particular, called for stern police investigations into high-profile social crimes, such as home rental scams and illegal receipt of state subsidies, while safeguarding people's basic and human rights during investigative processes.

He also stressed the importance of leaving no loopholes in investigations, so as to make sure the recent reform of the criminal justice system would not lead to any disadvantages or inconveniences for the people as earlier claimed by some.

"I urge you to be reborn as a police force trusted by the people and one that meets their expectations through new determinations, prompt action and tangible results," Lee said.

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(LEAD) Lee calls for constitutional revision to reflect spirit of democratization

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(2nd LD) Lee urges 'aggressive' police reform to address wrongful practices, systems

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（注意：最后三段有更新说明）作者：朴宝蓝

首尔，10月21日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周三敦促警方积极进行改革，以解决不正当的做法和制度问题，并强调需要建立一个专门的制度来独立审查警方的调查。

总统在纪念第 81 个警察日的讲话中发出这一呼吁。此前，李光耀政府进行了检控改革，取消了检察官的调查权，只保留了起诉和维护起诉书的权力，因此警方获得了更大的调查权。

总统说：“通过客观地回顾过去存在的不足，（警方）应该积极推进改革，大胆地解决错误的做法和制度。”

2026年10月21日，李在明总统在首尔举行的第81届警察节纪念仪式上发表讲话。（韩联社）

李强调，人民赋予的调查权必须依法依规公平行使，调查必须有明确的问责机制。

总统表示，调查过程和结果应受到严格审查，同时要避免受到外部影响，尤其呼吁建立一个专门的制度来独立审查警方的调查。

总统指出：“错误的做法和制度应该被大胆纠正……只有当警察不回避人民的批评并立即解决自身的不足时，公众对警察的信任才会更加牢固。”

在最近一系列暴力犯罪事件发生后，公众对安全的担忧日益加剧，其中包括上周在仁川发生的随机持刀伤人事件，以及一名男子刺死其岳母的案件。这些言论正是在此背景下发表的。

李指出：“警方应该认真认识到公众对警方的信任正在动摇……并牢记他们的责任比以往任何时候都更加重大。”

他说：“单靠言辞无法重建公众信任。警方应该用实际行动证明他们已经改变，并付出不懈努力确保人们认可这种改变。”

李在明总统（右二）出席在首尔举行的第81届警察节纪念仪式。（韩联社）

总统特别呼吁警方对房屋租赁诈骗、非法领取国家补贴等备受瞩目的社会犯罪进行严厉调查，同时在调查过程中保障人民的基本人权。

他还强调，调查中必须杜绝任何漏洞，以确保最近对刑事司法系统的改革不会像一些人先前声称的那样，给人民带来任何不利或不便。

李说：“我敦促你们重生为一支受人民信赖的警察部队，一支通过新的决心、迅速的行动和切实的成果来满足人民期望的警察部队。”

（第二部分）李呼吁全力以赴增加住房供应

（领导）李呼吁修改宪法以体现民主化精神

（第三条）韩国推出缩减规模的检察机关和新的调查机构，进行重大改革

（第二部分）李呼吁进行“积极的”警务改革，以解决不当做法和制度问题。